It’s Ghana be interesting

Saturday afternoon the U.S. national soccer team, riding this wave of popularity and interest the likes of which have never been enjoyed by a soccer team in our country, faces Ghana in the 2nd round of the World Cup.

OK, we knew that already. But perhaps you didn’t know much of the following, and as a result can prepare for the match today:

Ghana, known as the Black Stars, has scored only two goals in its three previous WC matches, known in the run of play (both came from the spot). The U.S. has not taken a penalty kick in this tournament. After 2 periods of 15 minutes of overtime, PKs decide it.

The U.S. is the highest ranked team in its quarterfinal section of the bracket, which has opened up nicely for the Americans. Instead of facing Germany and then possible Argentina (as England must), we get Ghana and then Uruguay or South Korea.

Keep an eye on Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah, one of the bright stars of this tourney who plays his club soccer in Serie A in Italy.

The ref today will be from Hungary. He worked the 2008 Olympic final and was the man in the middle for Brazil’s first round win over North Korea. He likes yellow: 5 cards in an Europa League match this winter and 11 in a domestic match earlier.

Ghana facts: English official language; population is around 24 million (U.S. is 310 mill.); size is roughly equal to Wyoming; per capita GDP is $1,550 (ours is $46,400); they drive on right side of road; WWE star Kofi Kingston was born in Ghana; it is the closest country in the world to the latitude/longitude center of the earth (0-0) … although the exact spot is in the Atlantic Ocean off the Ghana coast.

And remember, finally, that Ghana eliminated the U.S. from the 2006 World Cup with a 2-1 victory in the final game of the group stage. Here are some highlights of that match: